Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. A new crisis line seeks to help

Published July 14, 2022 at 1:06 PM EDT

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With suicides on the rise, the government wants to make the national crisis hotline easier to reach. Once implemented, people will just need to dial 988 to seek help. Currently, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline uses a 10-digit number, 800-273-TALK (8255). (Jenny Kane/AP)

Editor’s note: The following story deals with suicide. If you have suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 (En Español: 1-888-628-9454; Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889).

For suicide prevention resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, click here.

Why does Wyoming have such a high suicide rate? Wyoming and other Mountain West states have been dubbed “the suicide belt.”

Here & Now‘s Scott Tong talks with Bill Hawley, a suicide prevention specialist for the Johnson County, Wyoming public health department, about the reasons why that is and how the new mental health crisis line 988 might help.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.